Knitters, beer and yarn.

So, just to prove that I'm a total D-list blogger who doesn't deserve to be read, let me show you the fabulous photos that I took at the Knitty meet up on Wednesday.











Waiting....











Waiting....








Waiting...





Still there? Yeah, keep waiting 'cause I didn't take any.








So, there was jpknits, and fujiyamamama, and snickerdoodle, and errs, and bina from the knittyboards, and it was fun and fabulous and they were really nice, and I probably talked too much in run-on sentences, and was too happy.





Then, I got really tired and had to leave right now or I will die.





So, there.





Oh, and there was the candy expo. I worked for a giant corperate conglomerate.





The funny thing was, I didn't think about candy like it was this big, cut-throat industry. But it is. Holy Crap.





I had to learn phrases like "silky sm**th texture is what separates D*** from other brands."


Jesus help me.





And I did it.


I did it for the money, but I did it. So dirty, so dirty.








So, I watched the behavior the the folks who go to the candy expo, and was totally fascinated.





On the last day of the show, people are trying to get rid of their stock, so that they don't have to ship it home.





Traditionally, this day was the day that people brought their children and then brought big duffel bags, and then went nuts.





Kid in a candy shop, anyone?





This year, they changed the rules. They only let one official show bag on the show floor, and they were taking the other bags away.





There were fights with security. Over candy.





Oh, just when I'm trying to find the good in humanity...and I actually have witnessed the Burning man spirit, and I'm just glowing in how good knitters are...this happens.





So, I've come away with some good, and some bad, and like most other things, it's changed me.








All those who read this blog for the non-knitting content...you can probably just leave now.








The photo is of the yarn that I'm using for my next project. Because I finished Jen's fingerless gloves just in time for fall. So, I'm starting on something for myself. I'll probably cast on today.








I love the book Fitted Knitts. I love almost every single pattern in there, and I think that in many ways, it's an almost perfect book.





I've cast on a v-neck sweater, and I even went out and bought the specified yarn for it.
It's an alpaca/wool blend. The problem is that it sheds like a Persian cat in September.
I wear alot of black. It's not a good combo for the likes of me.

So, that project has become really...not so high on my list. I'll finish it, but me and the light blue sheddiness? Not so much.

So there's this wrap sweater in fitted knits. It's lovely. It's also (in the book) done with mohair.

Jesus.

Mohair sheds.

What I have is lovely Blue Moon Fiber Arts Geisha. It's a light fingering/heavy laceweight, in shades of blue that is nylon, silk and a tiny bit of mohair. 950 yards per skein. That's a fuckload of yardage for 25 bucks.

I bought it at Stitches Midwest, from Toni, at The Fold. I've since found out it retails for about 40 bucks. I bought it for 25. I have two skeins. I'm going to make that wrap by holding two strands together. This should cut down on pooling, and be about the right weight. I lurve this yarn.

I would lurve to finish a larger project that I can actually wear.


I photos I've seen of other finished wraps make me a little nervous, because the yarn, it's bunched up around the waist of the peoples, but, me? I'm hopeful.

New Knitty:open letter to Amy

Thank you, Amy.

I know that I was a little harsh in the past, what with the hatey and everything.
Don't get me wrong, I ment it. But the new summer Knitty is pretty awsome. There are cool socks, and an awsome little cardie, and only two cute kids things, that, quite frankly, I would knit for the kidlets that are not mine.

You are doing this full time now, it's a business. I am thrilled for you. That does come with a downside.

I expect great things from you. Amazing things, because you rock. You are a Public Figure.
Like EZ, or the Harlot.

The very first thing I knit was from Knitty. You were there for me, with my stupid questions, and the not understanding tension, and the witless fuckwittery. I was a moron, and you made me slightly more informed.

You tell me cool things, and support my habit, and let me feel less alone.

I'm sure that you are up to the challenge.

Thank you from the little house in the ghetto.

A Day Off, and and what the fuck is up with Knitty?

So, I finally have a day off. And I'm doing absolutely nothin' with it. Which was my plan. After kind of getting roped into to too much work, and missing things I wanted to do....like knitting and book club stuff, and not being able to just hang out, I'm at a dead stop. For a day. Then, I get back on.
Don't think that I'm not grateful for the money...I know that I will need money for Burning Man and Miami. I just don't like to work all that much.
Don't think that I'm too good to wait tables...with my title and all...I'm not. It's just funny to me when some second-rate wine snob lips off to me like I'm a moron because I'm taking their order. It's hilarious.
Jerk, in two weeks you'll pay good money to hear me talk (I know, because you were bragging to your asshole friends about it. Oh, I'll kill you with kindness then.)

There will be a Knittin' and Drinkin' or Poundin' and Purlin' at Bin Wine Cafe (Wicker Park)

Monday, March 19th

6pm to whenever

Non-smoking. We do have a small selection of Beers. There is a full bar.


So, now on to the non-knitting crap. (this does have knitting content...it's mostly about what I'm not knitting)

I haven't been knitting because everything I touch seems to turn to crap. Maybe, after a long bath, I might start on the neck of the Loop D Loop Sweater that I started. Teva, seriously, you are kicking my ass with your lack of stitch counts on the increase rows.
Are you to good to give them out? Too busy because of your vast fame and general Englishness? Well, I've frogged and reknit about 11 times now, only to have the lace leaf become wonky, and I'm sick of it.

Oh, and the socks for me? Not so much. However much I like to look at sock books, the next time I drop 80 skizillion stitches off size 2 needles, remind me why I said I was going to just frog that shit and be done.

Feather and Fan Triangle shawl from Folk Shawls. yesh. It languishes.
Mostly because of my lack of stitch markers that aren't really heavy.

And now to the meat of the matter.

What the fuck is up with Knitty.com? This latest batch of patterns is weak. Weeeeeeeeak.
Oh, my a skilzillion sock patterns, and one good sweater? A 'manly' reworking of an already exsisting pattern? Oh, and the seriously un-shaped cardigan. Ick. Double Ick. I expect more, especially now that Amy R. Singer is doing this full time. When this was just a serious hobby, I was okay with a few small missteps. Not anymore. The 2006 summer issue was bad enough, but now this. Jeez. Maybe the book took away some time from your online mag, huh? Oh, and the Spinknitty section, with the clever tie-in to your book. Very subtle.


How about the serious lack of articles?

What the Fuck?

I'm a little dissapointed, to say the least. Oh, and just do a kids issue already, okay? I'm okay with it. It's just that, well, there are a lot of kids patterns out there already. But just stop slipping them in...and if you do, make sure they are seriously different than the ones you already published. Thanks

Oh, and moving on to other betrayals. The new issue of IK. Thanks for making it just like Vogue Knits. Awsome Idea.

Good thing you drastically cut back on editoral content and articles, because that means if I don't like most of the patterns, I can't even fall back on that. Really. Great job.

Ack. Just Ack.

When did I get so busy that I need a datebook? I seriously can't remember where I'm supposed to be and when.

That, and my emails that I save, with important info in them, just dissapear.

Knitdds, Knitmongrel, did I miss the knitting book club? Am I a crackhead?


Yes. Simply Yes.

That said, the documentary that I'm filming is going...ok. Just ok. Tech stuff has come up, but, frankly, I think I can get the help I need.

Talking for a living. That's going ok.

Wine buying. Sure. It's not shoveling shit, so I'm pretty happy with it.

Not being able to go to the Pogues on March 5 because I'm hosting a wine dinner? Sucks.


I'm picking up a couple of waitressing shifts as well, 'cause cash money is good.


Oh, and there will be a non-smoking, yet booze related knit night
on March 19th, Monday at Bin wine Cafe.

Peace out

Drinkin' and knittin'

No really, it's an idea of mine.

See, the stich n' bitch closest to my house is filled with really nice ladies, who can knit.
They meet at a coffee house on monday nights.

See, even though they are really nice, mondays are bad for me, and frankly, I want a adult beverage, sometimes.

So, Knittin' and drinkin' is born.
Anybody can come

The first meeting will be on January 22, at 6pm at The Webster wine bar.
You can Mapquest where it is, if you don't know.
(I know, I said mondays are bad for me...they are. Mostly because I'm usually in the city...the Oak Park stich n' bitch is closest to me.)

A couple of things to note:

The venue is not smoke free. This might be a problem for some. It isn't for us.
If it is a problem for you, simply don't show up. Really.

There are several newcomers to knitting. If you don't want to spend time helping them, you don't have to. Just. Be. Nice.

We haven't set the venue for all time. This is a purely experimental group. We are open to new places.

To wit, we are not associated with Webster wine bar. They will not know what the fuck you are talking about if you contact them. Please leave a comment if you have any questions.

Oh, and crochet and other needlework? Totally cool. I wouldn't recommend bringing a quit frame, however.

Cool.

So, I'm crazy into knitting now that my hand is almost back to full capacity. I can open a bottle of wine, too. Pretty cool, huh? Open jars? Check.

The problem seems to be that I have a choice.

Spin

or

Knit

Not both. So, I've been knitting. I finished the Doctor's socks. I'm working on a pair of my own.
I've finished a feather and fan lace scarf, and I've been plugging away on both Izzy's sweater and the good doctor's sweater.

I'm also buying tickets to burning man today.

Yes, I do want to run around, covered in dust, in the middle of the desert.
Yes, I have lost my fucking mind.
Yes, I do consider it a-poc-o-lyp-so training.